‘Astronomical’ Francis Ngannou Return to Eclipse Dana White’s $20M+ UFC 306 PPV, Reveals Pfl Owner

Earlier this week, UFC head honcho Dana White set a new benchmark for MMA promotions worldwide with UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche. The ambitious event, famous for its production cost exceeding $20 million, is now regarded as the most expensive single fight event ever staged. This bold move has sent shockwaves through the MMA world, particularly among its closet competitors, like the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

The PFL is just two days away from its highly anticipated event, PFL: Battle of the Giants. In this showdown, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will make his octagon return against Renan Ferreira, hoping to uphold the honor of the PFL. But the real question on the fan’s minds is whether this event will eclipse the grandeur of UFC 306.

Can PFL’s upcoming event outshine UFC Noche Grande?

Well, yes if we consider PFL owner Don Davis’s claims, who recently appeared on the New York Post Sports YouTube channel to promote the upcoming fight event. His claims are not baseless, as his motivation stems from his belief in the potential of his two latest PFL stars, Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg. Once UFC stars, they are now ready to make their mark in PFL. Davis asserts, “The most interesting men’s fight, and as a co-main, the most intresting women’s fight. I believe this is the biggest event possible in MMA because of the co-mains this year in 2024, and that makes it certainly the biggest thing for PFL.”

Don Davis didn’t stop there; he further promised MMA fans that the PFL’s upcoming Saudi Arabia will deliver a better-quality card than what the UFC CEO provides at UFC Noche. He claimed, ” We want to show fans that we can put on a product as good as or better than anyone else in the world.” Davis then challenged Dana White’s $20 million cost claims, asserting that his upcoming PFL event will surpass UFC Noche in terms of expense. He added, ” The cost of this fight is astronomical, Dana White talks about his $20 million-per-event cost. This is more. 

Don Davis is not the only one who recently questioned Dana White’s stacked fight card choice for UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche. Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub recently also raised concerns about the quality of the ‘product’ White has served to fans. Let’s see what he had to say.

Brendan Schaub slammed Dana White’s UFC 306

UFC Noche dazzled with its futuristic charm and breathtaking setup, featuring The Sphere’s jaw-dropping 160,000-square-foot screen, making it an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to be in Las Vegas. The venue itself became the star of the show, enveloping fans in a visual spectacle like no other. But what about those tuning in online or via streaming platforms? For them, the fight card, which was supposed to carry the event, fell flat, leaving many disappointed.

Fighter-turned-comedian Brendan Schaub didn’t hold back on social media, taking UFC President Dana White to task for what he felt was an underwhelming product. “My issue is that the product I paid to watch wasn’t great because it wasn’t a pay-per-view-worthy card. The highlight was The Sphere. So unless you were there in person, it wasn’t that impressive,” Schaub said, pointing out the gap between the live experience and what fans at home received. He went on to compare the event to a gimmick, saying, “You know what this is? The Sphere. It’s like the Rainforest Cafe, it looks fantastic, but the product was sh*t.”

Schaub’s sharp critique raises an interesting question about the future of UFC’s spectacles. With PFL making serious waves and boasting star power like Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg, could it potentially eclipse Dana White’s ambitious UFC events like UFC Noche in terms of numbers and revenue?

What do you think? Will PFL’s growing momentum and superstar lineup outshine UFC’s grander-than-life setups? Share your thoughts below!